According to the government-affiliated China Toy Association, there are approximately 8,000 toy companies in China and in 2010, the export value of Chinese toys reached US $8.3 billion. The country exported $2.6 billion worth of toys in the first 4 months of 2011. That's 17 percent more than the previous year. China is by far the world's largest toy manufacturer and exporter with over 2/3 of global toys created in the country's factories, 90% of which are located in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Shandong.
So what happens before each piece receives its Made in China label and gets shipped off to our local stores? Here's a look inside the factories to see where toys are born.
Laborers work at a production line in a toy factory in Panyu, located in south China's Guangdong province.REUTERSDoll parts are sorted at a production line in a toy factory in Panyu.REUTERSA worker stares blankly at a doll in a Panyu toy factory.REUTERSEmployees stuff toys at a factory on the outskirts of Guangzhou.REUTERSLaborers work at an assembly line in a toy factory in Panyu.REUTERSA worker makes toy dogs at a factory in north China's Tianjin municipality.REUTERSWorkers sew toys at a factory in north China's Tianjin municipality.REUTERS
